Barcelona opens multipurpose terminal tender

The move aims to safeguard competition and ensure continuity in non-containerised general cargo traffic, a segment considered strategically important for the port’s positioning. Port officials warned that without a new tender, a monopoly situation could arise in this area of activity.

The future terminal will occupy 87,425 square metres, including existing office buildings and parking facilities, which will be retained. Other structures may be refurbished or replaced by the successful bidder.

The concession will run for 16 years, with the possibility of early termination from year 10 if port activities require reorganisation, with compensation for non-amortised investments.

According to the tender specifications, the facility will handle general cargo and certain mixed traffic. It will exclude passengers, except professional drivers, as well as dry and liquid bulk. The port has set minimum cargo volumes to prevent exclusive container handling, while allowing flexibility for mixed RoRo and vertical container traffic.

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The tender foresees civil engineering investments of €3.6 million and requires at least three mobile cranes and six auxiliary handling units, with further machinery if traffic thresholds are exceeded.

Separately, the port’s board awarded a €4 million contract to Inetum España, in joint venture with Ambar Seguridad y Energía, to install EU Entry/Exit and travel authorisation systems at cruise and ferry terminals, co-financed by the EU.